Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards